Microsoft's own TechEd conference is pushing the virtues of touch-based notebooks, tablets, and hybrid units, and one of the demo units they've been showing attendees is the Iconia W3. While we weren't allowed to record usage of the device, Microsoft did allow us to take some photos of the upcoming tablet.

While the form factor is nice, we can't help but feel that the full-sized keyboard takes away from the functionality of the 8.1-inch display. If we're going to carry around a keyboard that large, why not have a screen to match? In addition, while the tablet docks nicely with the keyboard, there doesn't appear to be a way to click the two together so that they lay flat, making transport more difficult. Microsoft wasn't sure if a carrying bag was included with the product.

Otherwise, there's not much to say about the Acer Iconia W3. It's receiving a lot of positive buzz here at the conference, but I still remain skeptical of its commercial success.

UPDATE: Thanks to a couple of comments on this post, we dug around Microsoft's site and found pictures of how the tablet docks with the keyboard. Pretty nifty!